Fastening device.



No 867.302. 'PATENTED 001:1,1907.

I. H. 010m PASTEN DE, E. APPLIOATION FILED DBO. 01. RENEWED JAN. 31,1906.

FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

FASTENING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 1, 1907. Renewed January 31, 1906. Serial No. 298,825.

Application filed December 18 1901, Serial Nov 86,374-

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFastening Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for securing-machine and kindred partsfixedly together and is especially directed toward the furnishing of afastening device for use in assembling shafts and parts carried thereonin machines where precision in the relative position of the parts isdesired.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a fastening deviceadapted to be made in very small sizes with a high degree of precision,and also at a low cost of manufacture.

This invention is closely related to the improvements in fasteningdevices disclosed in my applications Serial No. 37,420, filed November23, 1900, and Serial No. 63,516 filed June 7, 190.1, in whichapplications there are shown described and claimed devices for securingmachine parts together. The inventions, as therein set forth embody alocking piece or element of peculiar form and construction, and which inthe organization shown and described, is seated in an opening extendingtransversely to that opening in the secured member in which the shaft islocated when the parts are assembled.

The present invention, like the one set forth in my applicationshereinbefore referred to, provides a two part fastening device of a formand construction permitting both recessses or openings (that for theshaft and that for the locking piece) to be extended entirely across orthrough their respective parts, facilitating thereby the necessarymachining or other treatment to fit them for their connection. Thepresent improvement differs, however, from that disclosed in the latterof the two applications in that, while in the latter the opening for thereception of the locking piece or element is smooth and substantiallycylindrical, in this case such opening is provided with thread likeshoulders.

In the drawing accompanying the present specification Figure 1illustrates the invention as applied to the securing of a crank or armto a shaft.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1, looking alongthe shaft. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the plane of the line 33 inFig. 1. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of the crank or arm, the planeof the section being that of the axis of the opening in the arm throughwhich the shaft is adapted to extend and this figure showing therelation of the openings in the crank or arm, one for the reception ofthe shaft and the other for the reception of the locking piece. Fig. 5is a section of the arm or crank shown in the preceding figures, theplane of the section being that indicated by the lines 55 in Fig. 4.Fig. 6

is an elevational view of a portion of the shaft constituting one of theillustrated connected parts or members, this figure showing the shaft asremoved from the arm while the recess in the shaft in which the lockingpiece is adapted to fit is also indicated. Fig. 7 is a cross section onthe plane of the line 77 in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is an elevational view of thelocking piece or element shown in Fig. 3, the same being removed fromits assembled position. Fig. 9 is a section corresponding to Fig. 3, thelocking piece shown in elevation in the latter figure being here insection.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts in all thefigures.

The fastening device comprised in the present invention like thosedisclosed in my hereinbefore mentioned applications may be saidtocomprise cylindrical and conical surfaces so combined with relation toeach other and to their respective contacting surfaces, that thereliability of the fastening device, considered as a whole, isindependent of theparticular position, within limits, in which the twoparts or members are placed for the purpose of being secured, one to theother. The conical surface cooperating with its opposed surfaceaccomplishes a wedging or binding of the parts in place, while thecylindrical surface is so disposed with relation to the other surfacesas to render an effective binding action to a considerable degreeindependent of the relative position of the parts, one to the other.

Entering upon a more detailed description of the embodiment of theinvention illustrated, S designates a shaft and W a crank or arm securedthereto by means of he present device; these particular parts, as willbe understood, however, are shown merely for illustrative purposes.

It designates a locking piece or element whose surfaces constitute inthe preferred form of the invention, the above mentioned operativeconical and cylindrical surfaces. These surfaces are combined in such away upon the locking piece, that while the conical surface or surfacescooperate with properly positioned surfaces to effect the locking of theparts, by reason of a longitudinal movement given to the locking piece,yet the re-action surface or surfaces, which receive the lateral thrustdue to the slight lateral movement of the locking piece when urgedlongitudinally to position, is a cylindrical one. Either one or both ofthese surfaces, that is the conicaland cylindrical surfaces, ispreferably spirally disposed on the locking piece. They are here bothshown as disposed in this manner. The opening, see 2, for the receptionof the locking piece R extends transversely to the axis of the shaft Sand preferably entirely through the crank arm or other part connectedthereto as the forming of a through opening in the arm, etc., willfacilitate the making of the opening.

This opening is a straight opening, that is, it may be a 110 bored anddrilled opening, and fulthermore, it is not material whether the lockingelement fits snugly therein or not. Likewise the opening 3 in the armfor the reception of the shaft S, and which it will be noted extendstransversely to the axis of the opening 2 therein need not necessarilybe of a diameter requisite to form a snug fit of the shaft as thepurpose and effect of mov ing the locking piece to its final or lockingposition is to wedge the parts firmly together, irrespective of theirlooseness.

The locking piece embodying the cylindrical and conical surfacesmentioned is shown provided with a screw thread t on its exteriorsurface. The diameter of this locking piece and the coarseness or pitchof its thread or threads will be such as to insure ample strengthtowithstand the strain to which the parts may be subjected. The crosssection of the thread may be varied from that shown, although for thesatisfactory application of the invention, I deem it advisable thatthere should be surfaces at the top and bottom of the thread ofsubstantial length as measured axially of the screw. The screw may alsobe single, double or triple, etc. threaded.

In the construction illustrated, the top surface of the thread 4 uponthe locking piece constitutes a portion of the surface of a cylinder.the thread is formed is substantially cylindrical from end to end. Thissurface at the top of the thread constitutes the mentioned cylindricalsurface designated for reference by 4 The core or the body of thelocking piece, however, tapers slightly from one end to the other, thethread in this instance being deeper at the entering end of the lockingpiece than at the opposite end; compare the relative distances X and Yin Fig. 9. The surface of this core, that is, the surface at the bottomof the thread forms the mentioned conical surface designated forreference by 4 It is evident from the foregoing description, that if thethread sections upon one of the parts to be connected are made of adepth not less than the maximum depth of the thread upon the lockingpiece, then the tops of these thread sections will contact with theconical surface or surfaces P at the bottom of the thread on the lockingpiece, and as the latter is moved inward a slight lateral movement ofthe piece will ensue. Hence owing to the tapering core of the lockingpiece the lengthwise movement of the piece will be accompanied by itsslight lateral movement. These mentioned thread sections, are in thepresent instance formed in the part opposite the arm or crank; see thethread sections 5 formed in the surface of the concave recessG in theshaft S, disposed in line with the locking piece opening in the arm. Thethrust arising from the lateral movement of the locking piece is in thisinstance taken by the opposite part, that is, the arm, and preferablythe surfaces between which this thrust or pressure is exerted, aresubstantially cylindrical so as not to render the reliability of thefastening device dependent upon the exact position of the crank or arm,with reference to the shaft.

As above stated, the locking piece R is of substantially uniformdiameter from end to end as measured across the top of the thread, andto render the top surface of this thread operative as a thrust surface,the bore of the opening 2 in the arm or crank for the locking That is,the stock in which piece, is substantially cylindrical. The thread (i inthe bore of the opening in the arm, in which the locking piece islocated is not designed to cooperate with the corresponding thread uponthe locking piece except in so far as shoulders are presented engagingwith the side of the thread upon the latter and acting to draw thelocking piece inward when inserted and rotated, since the depth ofthethread in the arm, is, in the present embodiment, not greater thanthe minimum depth of the thread on the locking piece. it is evidenttherefore that the top of the thread upon the latter will contact withthe surface at the bottom of the thread in the arm before the tops ofthis latter thread contact. Hence the operative contact, and by thisexpression 1 mean the contact to which the principle of the inventionmay be referred, is in the present instance on one side, cylinder tocylinder. while the other side, being wedge shaped, or inclinedrelatively to the former side occasions the wedging of the parts firmlytogether. It is not important therefore, in assembling and reassemblingthe parts, that they should always be located in identically the samerelative position, to render the present fastening device effective assuch, although by the use of this invention, the parts may be securedone to the other with great precision. This variation in position withthe attendant uniformity in securing a precision of attachment isespecially desirable in the securing of small machine parts together.

Having described my invention, 1 claim 1. In a two-part fasteningdevice, the combination with a locking piece, of a part havingintersecting transverse openings, one for the reception of the part, tobe connected to the mentioned part and the other a shouldered openingwith the shoulders of which the locking piece is adapted to engage. oneat, least of the contactual surfaces of the locking piece being inclinedto the axis of said piocc, while the contactual surface at thediametrically opposite side thereof is substantially parallel to saidaxis.

2. In a two-part fastening device, the combination with a locking piece,of a part having intersecting transverse openings, one for the receptionof the part to be connected to the mentioned part and the other ashouldered opening with the shoulders of which the locking piece isadapted to engage, one at least: of the contactual surfaces at the sideof the locking piece being curved and inclined to the axis of saidpiece, while the contactnal surface at the diametrically opposite sidethereof is cylindrical,

3. In a two-part fastening device, the combination with a locking piece,of a part having transverse openings, one for the reception of the partto be connected to the mentioned part and the other a shouldered openingwith the shoulders of which the locking piece is adapted to engage, oneat least of the contactual surfaces at the side of. the locking piecebeing inclined to the axis of the locking piece while the contactualsurface at the diametrically opposite side thereof is substantiallyparallel to said axis and spirally arranged.

4. In a two-part fastening device, the combination with a locking.piece, of a part having intersecting transverse openings, one for thereception of the part to be connected to the mentioned part; and theother a. shouldered opening with the shoulders of which the lockingpiece is adapted to engage, one at least of the contactual surfaces atthe side of the locking piece being inclined to the axis of the lockingpiece while the contaetual surface at the diametrically opposite sidethereof is cylindrical, both the conical and cylindrical surfaces beingspirally disposed.

5. In a twopart fastening device, the combination with a locking piecehaving a cylindrical contiactual surface at one distance from the axisand a diametrically opposite conical contactual surface at a lessdistance therefrom, of a part having intersecting transverse openings,one for the reception of the part to be connected to the mentioned part,and the other opening being provided with shoulders adapted to engagewith the locking piece.

6. In a two-part fastening device, the combination with a locking piecehaving a cylindrical contactual surface located at one distance from itsaxis and a diametrically opposite conical contactual surface at anotherdistance therefrom, and both of which surfaces are spirally arranged, ofa part having intersecting transverse openings, one for the reception ofthe part to be connected to the mentioned part and the other openingbeing provided with shoulders adapted to engage with the locking piece.

'7. In a two-part fastening device, the combination with a locking piecehaving a cylindrical contactual surface located at one distance from itsaxis and a diametrically opposite conical contactual surface at a lessdistance therefrom, and both of which surfaces are spirally arranged, ofa part having intersecting transverse openings, one for the reception ofthe part to be connected to the mentioned part, and the other openingbeing provided with shoulders adapted to engage with the locking piece.

8. In a two-part fastening device, the combination with a locking piece,of a part having intersecting transverse openings, one of which openingshas a smooth bore and is adapted to receive the part to be connected tothe mentioned part and the other opening being provided with shouldersadapted to engage with the locking piece, one at least of the contactualsurfaces at the side of the locking piece being-inclined to the axisthereof while the contactual surface at the diametrically opposite sidethereof is parallel to said axis.

9. In a two-part fastening device, the combination with a locking devicehaving diametrically opposite cylindrical and conical contactualsurfaces, both spirally disposed, of a part having intersectingtransverse openings, one for the reception of the part to be connectedto the mentioned part and the other for the reception of the lockingpiece, this latter opening having an operative surface spirallydisposed.

10. In a two part fastening device, the combination with a locking piecehaving diametrically opposite conical and cylindrical contactualsurfaces at diiferent distances from the axis of the piece, of a parthaving intersecting transverse openings, one of the openings having asmooth bore and being adapted to receive the part to be connected to thementioned part and the other of the openings having an operative surfacespirally disposed and being adapted to receive the locking piece.

11. In a two-part fastening device, the combination with a screw-likelocking piece having a greater depth of thread at the entering end ofthe screw than at the other end, of a part having intersectingtransverse openings, one for the reception of the part to be connectedto the mentioned part, and the other opening having an operative surfacespirally disposed and adapted to engage with the locking piece.

12. In a two-part fastening device, the combination with a screw-likelocking piece having a greater depth of thread at the entering end ofthe screw than at the other end, of a part having intersectingtransverse openings, one opening having a smooth bore and being adaptedto receive the part to be connected to the mentioned part and the otheropening having an operative surface spirally disposed and adapted toengagekvith the locking piece.

13. In a two-part fastening device, the combination with a screw-likelocking piece having a greater depth of thread at the entering end ofthe screw than at the other end, of a part having intersectingtransverse openings, one opening having a smooth bore and being adaptedto receive the part to be connected to the mentioned part, and the otheropening having a thread of a depth not greater than the minimum depth ofthe thread upon the locking piece and being adapted to receive saidlocking piece, and a part connected to the said first mentioned part,said connected part having thread sections of a depth not less than themaximum depth of the thread on the locking piece.

' 14. In a fastening device the combination with a screwlike lockingpiece having a greater depth of thread at the entering end of the screwthan at the other end, of a part having intersecting transverseopenings, one for the reception of the part to be connected to thementioned part and the other opening having a thread of a depth notgreater than the minimum depth of the thread on the locking piece andwhich is adapted to engage with the thread on said locking piece, theconnected part having thread sections constituting a continuation of thethread within the opening in which the locking piece is located and thedepth of which thread sections are not substan tially less than themaximum depth of the thread on the locking piece. i

15. In a two-part fastening device, the combination with a locking piecehaving a conical core and a spirally dis posed thread, the perimeter ofthe spiral being cylindrical throughout, of a part having intersectingtransverse openings, one of these for receiving the part to be coupledto the mentioned part and the other being cylindrical and provided witha spirally disposed thread not greater than the minimum depth of thethread upon the locking piece, and a part occupying the first of saidopenings and having a thread of a depth not less than .the maximum depthof the thread on the locking piece.

FRANCIS EI. RICHARDS.

Witnesses FRED. J. Donn, .ToIIN O. Snirnn'r.

